April 2009 Edition

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Mass protest over Nigerian lady murdered by Belgian husband

The African communities in Belgium led by Nigerian community leaders, Collins Nweke and Emmanuel Ajufoh held a peaceful protest on the streets of Brenede recently over the shocking murder of 31 year-old Evelyn Amarim-Vanacker by her 35 year-old husband, Wim Vanacker.

The peaceful protest held on Saturday, 14 March 2009 attracted hundreds of protesters where Collins Nweke made a firm statement calling for a halt to all forms of domestic violence. A meeting was held earlier with the Nigerian and African Community in the region where the Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Usman Baraya, had encouraged Nigerians to be law abiding citizens “even in the face of the murder of Evelyn” He promised to press for the law to take its just cause in the brutal murder.Wouter Van Bellingen, the first elected Municipal Commissioner in Sint Niklaas in Belgium addressed the crowd and a petition titled “Justice for Evelyn” was formally handed over to the Chief of Police Bredene.

Evelyn, a native of Anioma local government in Delta State of Nigeria and mother of two children (Jonathan, 4 and David, 1) was reported to have been strangled to death by her husband in their home on the night of Monday, March 2, 2009.

*Late Evelyn Amarim-Vanacker

The inhuman and callous incidence took place while the children and Wim’s mother were sleeping in the bedrooms upstairs. After the brutal murder, Wim who had been married to Evelyn for 5 years loaded her lifeless body into his vehicle and drove some 100 kilometers to dump her body in an open field by the border of France and Belgium where French police found it the next morning. When he returned home, he contacted the police to report that his wife was missing. It was during the police interrogation that followed that he confessed to the strangling her, although the motive is not clear.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora has condemned the killing of Evelyn saying, “While grieving for the untimely death of this mother of two, the Committee condemns in unequivocal terms the killing of this woman, and several acts of indignity against Nigerians by some foreigners in their host countries”. The committee implored the Nigerian Foreign Missions, International Community and law enforcement Agencies to wage war against all forms of human right abuse irrespective of colour, creed or race.

The newly created Committee on Diaspora has treated three cases of Nigerians killed In China, Ukraine and Spain in 2009.

Ghanaian King Knighted in Malta

His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, recently became the first African leader to be knighted into the Ecumenical Order of the Knights of Malta, Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem. King Adamtey who is also a citizen of the United States and known in private life as Dr. Kingsley Fletcher, is the Suapolor of the Se (Shai) Traditional Area of Ghana.

King Adamtey was knighted in a ceremony which took place at the Order's headquarters, Castello dei Baroni in Wardija, Malta on February 28.

The Ecumenical Order operates in a number of countries around the world, having donated over $40 million in goods and services to various charities in 2008. It has also received the blessing of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

*Dr. Kingsley Fletcher

King Adamtey's investiture into the Knights of Malta is extremely significant as it reflects their respect for his tremendous humanitarian efforts in Africa and around the world. A recognized advocate for social justice and a scholar on cultures, traditions and world religions, King Adamtey is a former special advisor to the United Nations Development Programme-Africa and is the founder of Life for Africa, a humanitarian, non-governmental organization which addresses the ever-growing need of compassionate support for sub-Saharan African nations. He hopes that his membership in the Knights will help open doors for Africa and provide another avenue for people on the continent to partner with global leaders and organizations around the world.

In an interview with local media in Malta, King Adamtey noted that he was representing “a new, rising, order made up of like-minded people” who are humanitarians just as he is. “I believe strongly in the mission and purpose of the Ecumenical Order and I am delighted that they would recognize my work and my role as one that can also add to, or expand, their mission around the globe,” he said.

Some of Africa’s all-time hottest divas

Monique Seka, gorgeous Ivorian Queen of Afro-Zouk - “Missounwa” released in 1989 and ‘Yelele’ in 1999 got her the recognition beyond Africa.

The Missounwa album won her Gran Prix de la Musique Afro-Caraibeene.The third album, Okaman, released in 1995, has been smash hit selling more than 1,000,000 copies.

Sade -(Helen Folasade Adu) born in Ibadan, Nigeria to Nigerian father and English mother is the all time best lover rock queen. Sade’s "No Ordinary Love" track which featured on the soundtrack of the film “Indecent Proposal” was a great success. A lady who studied fashion design is one of the world talented and successful lead vocalists.

*Sade

Mbilia Bel’s“Mpeve Ya Longo", track which is about woman abuse in marriage was a sensation in 1982. Mbilia’s second album“Eswi yo wapi?" (Where does it hurt?) was a great success winning the"Best Song of 1983". Before going solo she worked with Abeti Masikini, Sam Mangwana and Tabu Ley's Afrisa International.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, known as the princess of Africa name is synonymous to her timeless mega-hit album ‘thank you Mr. DJ’. A South African super diva with20 albums to her credit has shared the stage with many megastars.She performed a duet with Youssou N'Dour at the GLO CAF Awards 2008 in LagosNigeria.

Angelique Kidjo, the Beninese star ranks today as Africa most popular female singer outside Africa. She has extensively toured Europe, Africa and Americas. Angelique is an Grammy wining artist and a charming humanitarian. She has received several awards among which is the “Making a Difference for Women Award 2009” from the National Council for Research on Women.

*Angelique Kidjo

Oumou Sangareis one of Mali’s undisputable talented female singers. The songbird of Wassoulou as affectionately called is also an ambassador for the music of Mali. She has produced five extraordinary albums in a twenty-year career. Oumouis a real Malian and African diva.

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Legal Matters

By A.G. Kleijweg

Dear TAB Readers,

With matters of immigration law, it is not always bad news; sometimes I can bring good news to the readers’ attention.In this article, I bring to your attention few important issues. Some are good news while others are only informative or warning.